Page 94 of Eclipsed Heart

“Good.”

Something like a needle stabbed my brain, stealing my breath. It was sharp and intense, worse than the burning sensation of the ink marking my chest.

I moaned, almost regretting that I’d agreed to this. Agony swirled through me as my brain seemed to be hit repeatedly by a hammer.

A loud howl rang in my ears—my wolf suffering as well.

My head hurt so much that even the buzzing from Bodey’s touch didn’t ease the pain churning within.

A voice popped into my head.Unfamiliar wolves are here, and we need help!

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

For a second,I wasn’t sure if that was a memory returning or something happening in the present. Then Bodey stiffened, answering my question. He’d heard whatever it was as well.

“We’re under attack,” Zeke spat, and all of a sudden, Sybil’s hands vanished from me.

The pain receded just as quickly as it had come, and I opened my eyes to find Zeke holding Sybil’s wrists. His forehead was creased as he breathed raggedly.

I tried to pull up my earliest memories, hoping that something new would be there. But I couldn’t remember anything earlier than the night Zeke had dragged me through the door of my parents’ house, informing them that I was the newest addition to their family. I remembered the sneer Pearl had on her face as she observed me and the hesitant smile on Stevie’s.

Of course, we hadn’t gotten enough time for Sybil’s magic to work. Somehow, Kel always knew when to interfere.

Standing, I gritted my teeth. A part of me wanted to tell Sybil to keep going, but protecting her, Bodey, and Samuel was my priority.

We need help now,the Halfway alpha, Blake, linked again.There are forty of them.

And there were only twenty of our wolves outside. I wanted to scream at Zeke, but that wouldn’t accomplish anything.

Call for backup from anyone close by,Bodey linked to everyone as he moved in front of me. His eyes locked with mine as he connected solely with me,Stay here with Sybil.

Before he could turn, I grabbed his arm and replied,No way. Not happening. Yes, we need to protect Sybil, but Queen Kel made it clear that she’s coming after everyone I love. Well, there’s no one in this world I love more than you, so if you’re going out there, so am I.

I glanced around at the others. “We’re going to help defend this place. Kel is putting on a show of force because we’re here.” I couldn’t fathom any other reason for her to attack Halfway.

“If she’s here because we are, then we should leave.” Samuel lifted both hands. “Taking ourselves out of the equation is the best way to mitigate deaths.”

My heart stopped. “How can you be so certain? She attacked Lynerd’s and Heather’s packs at random. If we leave and Kel continues to attack, there’ll be even fewer people to protect the Halfway pack.” I hated this. Samuel could be right. There was a chance the fighting would halt if we left, but what if itwasn’tabout us being here and she just wanted to make the point that she was willing to kill to get what she wanted?

“Let’s try this.” Samuel glanced at the back door. “You, Bodey, Sybil, and I leave. We won’t go far, and we’ll come back if the fighting doesn’t cease.”

That was still iffy, but at least it was workable. We could take Sybil somewhere safe and then come back to help if the scouts didn’t retreat. I bit my bottom lip and glanced at Bodey.

“Whatever you think.” Bodey squeezed my hand and continued, “There’s a risk, whichever strategy you go with.”

I decide.The words rang in my head and caused my heart to race. All the damn pressure was making me feel like I’d implode. And we were wasting too much time. I just needed to make a decision, and if Samuel thought that was the right way to go, who was I to disagree? Even though a part of me screamed it was the wrong call, I went with Samuel’s advice. “Let’s get Sybil, Bodey, Samuel, and me out of here and see if Kel’s wolves retreat.”

That was all it took for everyone to swing into action. Another reminder that I was taking too long to make decisions, and I needed to do better.

“The rest of us will go fight with the others.” Lucas hurried toward the hallway that butted against the kitchen that contained a back door. “We’ll keep you updated.”

I grabbed Sybil’s wrist and tried to pull her toward the front door. She hesitated until I said, “Come on. Let’s get you out of here and back home.”

She nodded eagerly, any hesitancy gone.

The former advisors and Lucas, Jack, and Miles hurried to the door, but Theo hesitated, looking at Jasmine.

“Don’teventell me goodbye.” Jasmine placed her hands on her hips and then gestured toward the back door. “I’m going out there to fight with the rest of you.”

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